Innovation driver

At K 2022 a multitude of concrete solutions, machines and products for the transformation towards a circular economy.

The plastics and rubber industry finally met at global level again after three years at K 2022 Düsseldorf and ensured an excellent mood among the 3,037 exhibitors, 176,000 trade visitors from all continents at over 70% the proportion of international guests.Visitors were particularly attracted by new technology developments that raw materials producers, machine manufacturers and plastics processors presented for implementing the circular economy.

Next to Germany, those European countries strongly represented on the visitors’ part included the Netherlands, Italy, Turkey, France, Belgium, Poland and Spain. For around two thirds of all visitors polled machinery and plant construction ranked first in terms of interest. 57% said they were interested in raw and auxiliary materials, with recyclates and bioplastics being particularly popular. For 28% semi-finished products and technical parts made of plastics and rubber were the main reason for coming (multiple responses possible). Over 70% of all visitors come from top and middle management. During the eight trade fair days it became clear that this year’s K was right on target with its selection of hot topics, circular economy, climate protection and digitalisation. In terms of investment intentions, machinery and equipment for processing and recycling stood out at 43%. The focus was particularly on sustainability, but also on circular economy and energy/resource efficiency in production.

At this year’s K in Düsseldorf, there was also a lot of discussion about the global production language, OPC UA. 40 companies from eight countries participated in an OPC UA demonstration project at the trade fair. Next edition: 8-15 October, 2025.